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FAQs

A Consultant works in partnership with clients on specific projects either as part of an outsourced team or to supplement an existing one. Consultants are relocated to client centres for a contracted amount of time to plan and develop business or technology systems and may also be asked to provide expert advice related to their specialism. Consultancy is a flexible career as projects can range from a few months to years depending on its size. This can lead to opportunities for travel and a variety of challenging and exciting assignments with a range of clients. FDM Consultants are employed by FDM to provide professional business and IT consultancy to our clients.

What is the FDM Graduate Programme?

The FDM Graduate Programme consists of foundation training followed by an individual learning pathway, where trainees will learn the skills required to become an FDM Consultant working on-site with our clients. We have training academies across Europe, North America and APAC that provide fast-track skills development to those with a passion for IT and business. After completing your training you will work on placements on our client sites for at least two years.

Is it essential for me to have an IT degree?

We welcome candidates from a range of academic backgrounds including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We also accept applications from non-STEM graduates who demonstrate a passion for working in the IT industry, particularly for our business pathways.

What if I already have IT accreditations or qualifications that FDM offers?

This puts you at an advantage, however you would still need to attend the training for that module or sit an exam in order to demonstrate these competencies so that we can confidently recommend you to our clients.

Will I have to pay for my training?

The training you receive is funded by FDM as long as you commit to work for us for two years. The training period is unpaid and you will receive a salary when you start your first placement as an FDM Consultant.

What does an FDM assessment day involve?

FDM’s Assessment day enables us to assess candidates for a range of skills including: technical, numerical, interpersonal and teamwork. Our assessment centres run on a weekly basis from 9am to 3pm. The schedule of the day involves welcome talks from FDM management followed by a talk from HR to run through any questions you may have regarding our contract and business model. Following this, there will be three tests; mathematics, logical-thinking aptitude and a set theory diagram test. You will also have three separate interviews conducted by FDM managers from various departments within the business; this ensures every candidate is given a fair and equal opportunity. FDM’s assessment is not only a chance for us to assess you, it is also an opportunity for you to ask FDM any questions you may have and find out more about us.

What happens after I complete my training?

After you successfully complete your training you will be available for client roles. Once selected for placement, you start a two-year employment with FDM as an IT or business consultant. During these two years, you could be placed on one or more of our client sites.

What companies will I be working with?

You can be placed with any of FDM’s prestigious clients. You may end up working at the same place for the whole two years, or you may be placed on various client sites throughout that time.

What happens at the end of the two years?

You have a number of options to progress your career further within the IT or business sector. You will still be an FDM employee working for an award-winning company. However, you are no longer contractually bound to remain with the company and can pursue other avenues if you prefer, such as transitioning into permanent employment with a client you have been placed with. FDM continues to provide our Senior Consultants with demanding and fulfilling technical and business placements. They also have the option of pursuing roles internally. No matter how you choose to progress your IT career, you will have two years of excellent commercial experience gained through the FDM Careers Programme.

The FDM Ex-Forces Programme consists of foundation training followed by an individual learning pathway, in either business or technical stream. Training also covers professional skills, helping to bridge the gap between the military and the commercial world. We have academies across the UK which provide fast-track skills development to those with a passion for IT and business. The training is funded by FDM, including all qualifications, and comes at no cost to you. In return you will work on placements on our client sites as an FDM consultant for a minimum of two years. After two years, you may choose to stay on as a senior FDM consultant, become a freelancer or transition to the client permanently.

Do I need any previous experience?

No previous IT experience is required; however you must have served within HM Forces either as a Full Time Employee or as a Reservist. We recruit across the rank range and across the Services. This breadth of talent is a reflection on the varied requirements of our client base.

Is it essential for me to have an IT degree?

No. You just need the right attitude and aptitude for a career in business or IT.

Which services can apply?

Anyone who has served as a Regular or Reservist in the Royal Navy, British Army and the Royal Air Force can apply.

What training will I receive?

Depending on your background, experience and performance at assessment, you will be selected for either the Traditional or Advanced training routes.

The Traditional Route is our well established business and technical training pathways. You will embark on your initial foundation training course before being allocated your individual learning pathway. This pathway will have a business or technical focus depending on your skill set.

The business pathway comprises Project Support Office, Business Analysis, and Risk, Regulation and Compliance.The technical pathway comprises Software Testing, Software Development, IT Service Management and Business Intelligence.

The Advanced Route is designed to recognise previous experience and skill sets and applicants will have to demonstrate this during the Advanced Assessment. This training course is 6 weeks long and takes a holistic approach to preparing individuals to become Project Managers working in IT environments.

The FDM Ex-Forces Team will advise you on the most suitable route to take based on your background, experience and skill sets.

What if I already have IT accreditations or qualifications that FDM offers?

This puts you at an advantage, however you would still need to attend the training for that module or sit an exam in order to demonstrate these competencies so we can confidently recommend you to our clients.

Will I have to pay for my training or do I need to use any of my resettlement money?

No. The training you receive, including all qualifications, is funded by FDM. In return, you will work for us for two years following completion of your training. The training period is unpaid although you will receive expenses to help with travel costs. You will start receiving a salary when you begin your first placement as an FDM consultant.

Is there a cooling off period?

Yes – after you start at the academy, there is a “cooling off” period of 2 weeks for the Traditional Route and 1 week for the Advanced Route where you can decide if you’d like to leave the programme.

What is involved in the assessment day?

Our assessment days are there to allow us to get to know you whilst also allowing you to get to find out more about FDM and what we have to offer. We aim to find out more about your skills and experience through a mixture of interviews, discussions, group tasks and a knowledge test; all while encouraging you to ask questions. We will show you around the academy so you can find out more about our training and placements.

Where will I train?

Depending on where you have applied to the programme, you will either train in our London, Leeds or Glasgow academy.

What will be my hours of work once I am placed onsite?

Our hours of work are generally 09:00 – 17:30, but like all areas of business you may be asked to show some flexibility around start and finish times when on site with a client. Some of our clients may offer more flexible working hours than others.

What does it mean to have continuous start dates? Can I choose when I start?

We have several start dates throughout the year in London, Leeds and Glasgow. Even if you have attended an assessment centre for a particular start date, should you be successful, you may be offered some flexibility as to when you join the programme.

What type of projects will I be working on as a full time Consultant?

You will have the opportunity to work across various sectors such as finance, banking, media and the public sector in business or technical roles. Our account managers look to place you with clients where your skills will be best utilised.

What benefits will I receive during the two year programme?

You will receive a competitive starting salary, fully-funded professional and technical training, and the security of knowing that you have a fully paid job for 2 years. You will work on-site with one of our prestigious clients, helping to fast track your career progression and ease your transition to the corporate world.

Is there a guarantee that I will get a job once I complete the training?

There is never a 100% guarantee, but we will not offer you a position on the programme unless we feel that you have the potential to be placed with one of our clients. If you are successful, you will be placed either during training or within the 90 day period once the training is complete. We try and ensure that you undertake a minimum of 4 weeks training before you are placed on site, but if you are ready and the client wants you, your placement could happen earlier.

What are my options after the two year period?

At the end of the two year period, you have three options available to you. The first is to continue with FDM as one of our senior Consultants, this could be with either an existing or new client. The second option may be to transition to one of our clients as a permanent employee. As a final option, you may choose to go your own way and look for employment elsewhere.

What support will I be getting during the programme?

During your time with FDM there will be on-going mentoring, coaching and support available to you. On larger client sites, we have Consultant Peer Support network whereby you will be helped to settle in your new role by another FDMer who has been onsite for a while. We also offer ongoing professional development with tools such as Pluralsight as well as a mentoring scheme designed to help support you in your career goals. You will also have a contact in the HR team assigned to you as well as your account manager and the full support of the Ex-Forces Team to ensure you succeed.

What does an IT or business consultant do?

A consultant works in partnership with clients on specific projects, either as part of an outsourced team or to supplement an existing one. As an FDM consultant you will be working with our clients on business critical projects and operations and will often be in a team with other FDM consultants too. You may be working on a project for a few months or a few years, it depends on the business need of the client. Due to the nature of the work, consultants need to be flexible and adaptable and this can lead to multiple opportunities for travel and a variety of challenging and exciting assignments.

Our unique business model provides training to those looking to return to work after a career break and full time employment as a business consultant, working with our high profile clients. You will first join us for seven weeks of specialist training, building on leadership and management experience as well as IT and business knowledge. Once training is complete, you will be employed by FDM as a consultant and will work for us onsite with one or more of our clients. In return for the fully funded training, all FDM consultants agree to work for FDM for a minimum of two years. Once the two year employment bond is complete, you may transition permanently onto client sites, remain with FDM as a senior consultant or choose to go your own way. The two year bond gives you stability and at the end of two years you are left with a choice of what you wish to do.

What is involved in the assessment day?

Our assessment days are there to allow us to get to know you whilst also allowing you to get to find out more about FDM and what we have to offer. We aim to find out more about your skills and experience through a mixture of interviews, discussions, group tasks and a knowledge test; all while encouraging you to ask questions. We will show you around the academy so you can find out more about our training and placements

What experience do I need?

The programme is open to anyone, male or female, who has taken a voluntary career break of more than one year. We look for experience in business analysis, project support or project management as well as a strong aptitude and interest in business.

What will be my hours of work during training?

The hours of training will be from 09:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday over a seven-week period. Whilst there is much to learn, we have reduced the hours from our normal academy times to allow you to readjust.

Where will I train?

Depending on where you have applied to the programme, you will either train in our Glasgow or London training centre – both situated in very central locations.

Where will I be placed?

We will ensure that your placements are no more than a one hour commute. In London, our clients are based throughout the city and, should your home location allow, we may be able to offer you other locations outside of the city. From our Glasgow academy, we have clients located in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling and other locations within a reasonable commute. On the Getting Back to Business Programme, we do not ask you to be geographically flexible, but you may choose to be considered for other locations.

What will be my hours of work once I am placed onsite?

Our hours of work are generally 09:00 – 17:30, but like all areas of business you may be asked to show some flexibility around start and finish times when on site with a client. Some of our clients may offer more flexible working hours than others.

What does it mean to have continuous start dates? Can I choose when I start?

We have several start dates throughout the year in London and Glasgow. Even if you have attended an assessment centre for a particular start date, should you be successful, you may be offered some flexibility as to when you join the programme.

What type of projects will I be working on as a full time consultant?

You will have the opportunity to work across various sectors such as finance, banking, media and the public sector in business analysis or project management type roles. Some of our consultants are currently working in stakeholder management, risk, regulation and compliance. Our account managers’ look to place you with clients where your skills will be best utilised.

Why is the training flexible and not the employment?

The training is flexible to accommodate personal commitments. This way we ensure everyone benefits from the business and technical training that we offer.

Can I opt out of the programme once I have started the training period?

Making the decision to go back to work can be difficult. You may not truly know if you are ready to step back into the workplace until you start the programme; that is why we have a two week cooling off period once you start training. Once you have finished training, you are free to leave the programme after 90 days if you have not been placed with one of our clients.

What benefits will I receive during the two-year programme?

You will receive a competitive starting salary, fully-funded professional and technical training to facilitate you in your return to the workplace, and the security of knowing that you have a fully paid job for two years. You will work on-site with one of our prestigious clients, helping to fast track your career progression and ease you back into business.

Is there a guarantee that I will get a job once I complete the training?

There is never a 100% guarantee, but we will not offer you a role on the programme unless we feel that you have the potential to be placed with one of our clients. If you are successful, you will be placed either during training or within the 90-day period once the training is complete. We try and ensure that you undertake a minimum of four weeks training before you are placed on site, but if you are ready and the client wants you, your placement could happen earlier.

What are my options after the two year period?

At the end of the two year period, you have three options available to you. The first is to continue with FDM as one of our senior consultants, this could be with either an existing or new client. The second option may be to transition to one of our clients as a permanent employee. As a final option, you may choose to go your own way and look for employment elsewhere.

What support will I be getting during the programme?

During your time with FDM there will be on-going mentoring, coaching and support available to you. All of our training focuses on helping you to transition back into the workplace with the skills and confidence that you require. Once on site, we will continue to offer you support as and when it is required.